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Multiple-Meaning Words

A multiple-meaning word is spelled and said the same way but means different things: a bat flies at night, and you hit a ball with a bat. Context is the only clue, which is why these words are such good reading practice.

Here are 124 multiple-meaning words from past ClueBy puzzles, each with a real example sentence for every meaning. Use them as a reference, or make a printable worksheet below.

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Students read each sentence and write the missing word. Every word appears in several sentences, each time with a different meaning.

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Multiple-Meaning Words

Name: ____________________Date: __________

Write the missing word in each sentence. Each word is used more than once, with a different meaning each time.

  1. James Baker serves as an Honorary Co-________________ for the World Justice Project.
  2. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  3. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  4. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  5. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  6. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  7. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  8. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  9. Professor Sir Peter Hirsch formerly held the ________________.
  10. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  11. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  12. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  13. What was your ________________ profit last year?
  14. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  15. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  16. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  17. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  18. I put the bag on or beside the ________________.
  19. The ball hit the back of the ________________.
  20. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  21. He took the fish out of the ________________.
  22. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  23. Did you ________________ the button?
  24. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.

Sentences from ClueBy, Tatoeba (CC BY 2.0 FR) and Common Voice (CC0). clueby.com

Answer key

  1. chair — a leader
  2. press — newspapers
  3. deal — an agreement
  4. leaves — of a tree
  5. deal — a big deal
  6. press — a publisher
  7. deal — to handle
  8. safe — out of danger
  9. chair — a professorship
  10. root — of a word
  11. leaves — lets stay
  12. track — a path
  13. net — after costs
  14. root — the cause
  15. safe — out of danger
  16. leaves — to go away
  17. safe — a strongbox
  18. chair — to sit on
  19. net — in sport
  20. track — to keep track
  21. net — for catching
  22. root — of a plant
  23. press — to push
  24. track — a song

Multiple-meaning words list

Tick up to 10 words to build a worksheet with just those words.

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Frequently asked questions

What are multiple-meaning words?

Words with the same spelling and pronunciation but more than one meaning, like bark (of a dog or of a tree) or bank (for money or of a river). You can only tell which meaning is meant from the rest of the sentence.

Are multiple-meaning words the same as homonyms?

Mostly, yes. Teachers often use "multiple-meaning words" and "homonyms" for the same idea. Homophones are different: they sound alike but are spelled differently, like flour and flower.

Are the worksheets free?

Yes. Make and print as many as you like for home or classroom use. Each sheet has its own link, so you can print the same one again.

Where do the words come from?

From past ClueBy puzzles, a daily game where you sort twelve sentences by their missing word. A new puzzle every day adds four more words to this list.

Sentences from ClueBy, Tatoeba (CC BY 2.0 FR) and Common Voice (CC0). clueby.com